pavedwave longboarding

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

Rob Thomson has truly pushed the envelope in world-wide skateboard travel. All the while keeping an amazing documentary of the trip on his blog and on many different forums.

I was amazed we could keep in touch even just now and then by email, considering his time and energy on the road. The guy is a powerhouse of positive thinking. We chatted about pumping and pushing boards and techniques, and I still hold hope that some day in future travels, we'll be able to go beyond the virtual world.

So many of the experiences and impressions of Rob's resonate so closely with things I've felt and could never put to words. Particularly the notion of riding solo and being perfectly okay with it. A sense of accomplishment that comes from deep down within one's soul...what else could drive someone across continents without a big media hoopla and cheering crowds at the end? I've experienced the same many times on a much smaller scale of course, but the inner-drive is really what pulls you through.

Pure awesomeness Rob -- congratulations!!

I'm just blown away by this. 15 years ago, I could and would have dropped every commitment going on (which wasn't much!) and joined him. What this realistically means now is -- as a fellow distance skater Jim Etkin recently said -- what the possibilities of retirement could bring. Just another great reason to stay in peak shape the next 20 years...

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Rob really says it all best, so here is a short collection of links to his blog and associated threads:

Rob's Blog
http://www.14degrees.org/en/

10th and final YouTube video - End of Journey!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O36qc1ufk9o

Skateboarding from Switzerland to Shanghai
http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog/20...ing-from-switzerland-to-shanghai/

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

Another great story on Rob's completion of the trip -- he just returned to Christchurch by bike...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4772768a4560.html

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

I just caught this surfing about --

Thank YOU for the kind words Rob!!!

http://www.14degrees.org/en/?p=844

"Pavedwave.com
To know that there were still yet many others pushing themselves to their limits on boards, or bucking the trend and choosing human power over oil-power to get themselves from A to B on a daily basis was a huge motivating factor. Thank you."

wafflesole · Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 82

totally deserved.
just great, always will be.

edp_swakakin · Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 189

Completely Agree - Awesome Work Rob!